Escape from Alcatraz 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Escape from Alcatraz 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 19, 2022

Don Siegel's "Escape From Alcatraz" (1979) arrives on 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new program with screenwriter Richard Tuggle; exclusive new program with actor Larry Hankin; new audio commentary recorded by critics Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson; and vintage trailer. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

How exactly did they do it? The planning and the hard preparation work, entering the ventilation system and going up and down the long walls in almost complete darkness. And what happened once they jumped into the freezing water? Did they die of hypothermia? Or did they successfully reach San Francisco and then disappeared without a trace?

The three inmates that escaped from Alcatraz -- a.k.a. The Rock -- on June 12, 1962, are Frank Morris, John Anglin, and his brother Clarence. Frank and John were transferred to Alcatraz in 1960, while Clarence arrived there in early 1961. They knew each other well but began working as a team only after they were locked up in Alcatraz.

Don Siegel’s film Escape From Alcatraz accurately recreates just about everything that is officially documented about the trio’s escape. Apparently, Frank figured out how to enter the utility corridor behind his cell exactly as Clint Eastwood does in the film. The dummies that were used to fool the guards on the night of the escape were created as shown in the film as well. Each day, after they gathered in the cafeteria, John (Fred Ward) and Clarence (Jack Thibeau) received updates from Frank and then closely followed his instructions so that they can copy his progress. In the film, a fourth inmate, Charley Butts (Larry Hankin), vows to follow them as well, but on the night of the escape chickens out. (The real fourth inmate that stayed behind was a man named Allen West, who almost immediately began cooperating with the FBI).

The gray area of this fascinating story comes at the very end. Siegel’s camera follows Frank, John, and Clarence as they successfully exit Alcatraz but as soon as they enter the freezing water moves away from them. On the morning after, Warden Arthur Dollison (Patrick McGoohan) declares that the three men never made it to the other side, but he is speculating, just as everyone else has since June 12, 1962.

So, what could have happened?

There are only two possible scenarios. In the first, Frank, John, and Clarence enter the freezing water and die of hypothermia. This is a very credible scenario because the men did not have the proper apparel to survive long hours in the water. But the second scenario is very credible, too. In it, Frank, John, and Clarence successfully reach Angel Island and regain their freedom. What makes this scenario credible? Immediately after the escapee, the authorities uncovered a homemade life-vest at Cronkhite Beach, and in the days and weeks that followed they did not recover any bodies from the water.

The FBI closed the case on December 31, 1979. It concluded that Frank, John, and Clarence ended up at the bottom of the ocean because their possible presence on the mainland was never detected. This is the safe ending of the story, but not necessarily the correct one. Why? Because the best criminals do not get caught, and Frank, John, and Clarance were not amateurs.*

It has to be underscored that what makes Escape From Alcatraz a fascinating film to behold is not only its refusal to embellish the known parts of this unusual story but its ability to accurately capture the essence of existence on Alcatraz as well. In an exclusive new program included on this release, screenwriter Richard Toggle explains how he reworked the initial version of his script to ensure that Alcatraz becomes a key character of the story. The stars are outstanding, but Alcatraz becomes a living and breathing star too and this is what makes the crucial difference and transforms the film into a timeless classic.

*Another very good film about a seemingly impossible escape that for years puzzled the FBI is The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper.

Escape from Alcatraz 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Kino Lorber's release of Escape From Alcatraz is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. The 4K Blu-ray disc is Region-Free. However, The Blu-ray disc is Region-A "locked".

Please note that some of the screencaptures that appear with this article are taken from the 4K Blu-ray and are downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc, including the actual color values of this content.

Screencaptures #1-28 are from Escape From Alcatraz Blu-ray.
Screencaptures #31-36 are from Escape From Alcatraz 4K Blu-ray.

I viewed the entire film in native 4K with Dolby Vision enabled and performed specific comparisons with the 1080p presentation. I have this older Blu-ray release in my library and used it for several comparisons as well.

Escape From Alcatraz has been fully restored in 4K and the 4K Blu-ray and new Blu-ray are sourced from the new 4K master. On my system, the entire film looked much healthier and a lot more vibrant. Density levels were superior and during the daylight footage virtually all of the visuals boasted superior delineation and clarity. There are no stability issues. I did not encounter any traces of problematic digital work either. The color grading job is convincing, but this is the one area of the presentation that could and should have been handled better. In native 4K, but in 1080p as well, the new makeover produces a light but very noticeable black crush that eliminates existing details. There are two particular areas where I think that the issue is quite simply impossible to ignore. The first is the one where Clint Eastwood is seen entering the ventilation system. The visuals become too dark and numerous small details and nuances are lost. You can see an example in screencapture #18. The second is the one where three inmates are seen entering the ventilation system and climbing the walls. Here there are entire sections that become almost completely black. When playing the previous Blu-ray release, I could easily see on my system how hands move and follow the bodies. When playing the 4K Blu-ray and the new Blu-ray releases, I can't do it. Approximately 75%, possibly even up to 85%, of the screen becomes black. Now, I have to make it clear that both areas feature minimal lighting so there isn't a lot of detail to see, but this is why even a very small fluctuation in the primary values makes such a dramatic difference. In screencapture #18, there is still plenty of lighting, so there is far less to see after that. This is very unfortunate all other areas of the new 4K makeover are unquestionably superior to their counterparts on the old Blu-ray release.

Escape from Alcatraz 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I started viewing the film in native 4K with the 2.0 track but did quite a few switches to the 5.1 track. I liked what I heard a lot. So, even if are a purist, it is a good idea to experiment with both. I did not encounter any age-related anomalies to report in our review.

Escape from Alcatraz 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critics Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson.

BLU-RAY DISC

• The Ghost of Alcatraz - in this brand new program, screenwriter Richard Tuggle recalls how the original version of the screenplay for Escape From Alcatraz was repeatedly turned down by top brass at Paramount, how he was able to connect with Don Siegel and consequently Clint Eastwood, how Alcatraz evolved into a key character/star in the final version of the screenplay, and how the film was made. An outstanding program. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• Tales From the Cellblock - in this brand new program, actor Larry Hankin recalls how he auditioned for the part of Charley Butts, what it was like to work with Don Segel and Clint Eastwood, and how some key sequences were staged and shot. There are some very good comments about the ugly sequence where one of the inmates chops off his fingers. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• Trailer - a remastered vintage trailer for Escape From Alcatraz. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critics Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson.

Escape from Alcatraz 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Do you know what the crucial difference between a good and a great prison escape film is? It is how each film treats the prison. The former sees the prison only as a special playground and puts the spotlight on the inmates that are being held there. The latter understands that the prison has a unique and powerful personality and treats it as a character. This is how Don Siegel treats The Rock in Escape From Alcatraz and why his film is a timeless classic. In front of Siegel's camera, there are great stars at the top of their game recreating a legendary story and The Rock is one of them. Kino Lorber's 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray release is sourced from an exclusive new 4K master that was prepared at Paramount Pictures. I had a very difficult time judging this 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray release. I like a lot of the work that was done, but there are certain darker areas of the film that are plagued by plenty of black crush that eliminates existing detail. I still think that the 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray release is worth picking up because it has some very good new bonus features, but I will be keeping my old Blu-ray release. RECOMMENDED.